The Royal Spare (COMPLETED)

34- Of A Jealous Guy And Falling Stars

I couldn't sleep at all. I kept thinking about my breakfast with Prince Philippe the next day. No. It wasn't the giddy excitement a girl has on her first date but rather an anxious anticipation of meeting him a second time when I didn't want anything to do with him at all.

When I met him earlier, it was clear how different he was from his brother. While Prince Alphonse is arrogant and flamboyant, he is modest but confident. I could tell that Prince Philippe is courteous, smart and well-mannered. His military excellence is known all over the continent. He rose to the ranks through his hard work, dedication and sacrifice, not just because he is a Prince. He is also very handsome. His blonde hair that was cut short and clean, his blue eyes as deep as the sea, his toned muscles trained in his duty and gentle smile are all very attractive features. He kind of looks like that actor who played Captain America. I should be over the moon for being the object of that dauphin's affection but I wasn't. I have a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach the moment I met him and I knew it wasn't because of his brother but something about him. I just didn't know what.

I shrugged at my image in the mirror of the dressing table. It was a baseless gut feel maybe I was wrong. Maybe I was just overthinking and there should be no reason for me not to trust him. There shouldn't be any harm if I gave him a chance. Besides, Aidan would be there. As long as he's around, who could hurt me?

Speaking of...

I looked beyond my image and into the room through the mirror to find him. Even though I was in deep thought earlier, I became vaguely aware of Lady Cora and the handmaids leaving my room after helping me change and tidying up then Aidan entering to keep watch through the night.

I found him doing another sweep of the area. His usually serious expression was more intense as he checked every door, window and object in the room. He almost seemed like he was angry. About what?

When he held the table lamp to check for bugs, he almost broke it by the way he handled it so roughly. He mumbled a curse and rambled under his breath some more. "Fuck! Fucking lamp almost broke. I will fucking break his neck."

"Break what?" I asked.

He hurriedly put the lamp down and stood at attention to face me. "You shouldn't have heard that. Sorry." He apologized to me but looked everywhere else but me.

"Heard what exactly?" I smirked.

"N-nothing, Your Highness." He bowed. "You should sleep now." He told me then paused. Before he spoke, I saw his jaw clench and a vein bulge on the side of his forehead. "You have an early appointment with the dauphin tomorrow." He said but his voice was so strained I swore his throat fought with his will to speak those words.

I sighed and stood up. "You're right." When I turned to face him, he looked away and clenched his fists to his side.

What is wrong with this guy? He looks pissed off at me but why?

I shrugged. Maybe Aidan was just being Aidan, sometimes he could be so uptight over nothing.

The door to the balcony attached to my suite was still slightly open and a draft came through. The weather in Como is cooler than I anticipated maybe I should've chosen the long-sleeved cotton nightdress over the sleeveless silk one that I wore.  I shivered involuntarily and hugged myself.

I heard him exhale sharply and all of a sudden I was wrapped in his strong and warm embrace. I was surprised by his action. It came out of nowhere. Wasn't he just pissed at me for something a moment ago?

I stood there motionless as I thought of moving away from him but he pulled me closer and his warmth felt so wonderful. I closed my eyes and leaned my cheek on his chest as my arms moved in their own volition and slipped around his waist. He sighed softly and kissed the top of my head. I may never understand everything that was going on in his head but he somehow always put my heart at ease.

"Aidan?"

"Hmmm?"

"You'll be there tomorrow, right?"

"Right beside you all the time, Maiena."

"I'm glad. There's no reason for me to be anxious now." I smiled as I snuggled closer to him. "I'm still not sure if I should trust him. I..."

"Ssshhh..." He shushed me sternly as I felt his muscles tense up. Why was he angry again? Could he be?

I pulled away from him slightly and looked at his face.

"What's wrong?" He asked. "Why are you looking at me like that? I'm sorry I interrupted you. You can..."

"Are you jealous?" I smirked.

"What?" He chuckled awkwardly. "Me? Jealous? No." He shook his head as he continued his weird chuckle. "Why should I be? I... I'm just the bodyguard. He... Well, he's..."

"What?" I raised my eyebrow.

He sighed and sulked. "I don't know. He's the one who is most likely to be your future husband."

When he said that, I felt infinitely sad.

"And I am jealous." He admitted as he looked into my eyes. "I'm jealous because I wish to be that man. I wish I was born with that privilege to ask for your hand in marriage and be the man you would spend the rest of your life with. I wish to have the right to make you happy and make you smile everyday. I wish I had the birth right to be your future husband."

I felt the sincerity in every word he said and also his helplessness. There were some things we can never change, no matter how hard we tried. There was nothing I can do but hold him close. He wrapped me in his arms once again. I hugged him tight, laid my head on his chest and listened to his heartbeat. I sighed and looked out the window into the sky just when a falling star passed.

I closed my eyes and whispered, "I wish everything you wish for too, Aidan."

***